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Reconstruction of radioactive contamination in the Columbia River

Journal Article · · Health Physics
; ;  [1]
  1. Battelle, Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richmond WA (United States)
As part of the Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project, an unsteady flow hydraulic model, modified to include radionuclide decay, was used to simulate the transport of radionuclides released to the Columbia River from Hanford. The model was applied to the river from Priest Rapids Dam to the vicinity of Portland, Oregon, for the period from January 1950 through January 1971. Model output consisted of monthly-average water concentrations for {sup 24}Na, {sup 32}P, {sup 65}Zn, {sup 76}As, and {sup 239}Np. Model validation was accomplished by comparing computed water depths and {sup 51}Cr concentrations to measured field data. This paper discusses the modeling approach and compares the results to historical river monitoring data collected during the peak years of operation.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
390965
Journal Information:
Health Physics, Journal Name: Health Physics Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 71; ISSN HLTPAO; ISSN 0017-9078
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English